Re: It's a long one.....

[Guest guest]

Cindy, you are not crazy... you DO have thyroid problems. You have some of the most common symptoms.

Here is what I recommend (until you can find a good doctor)

Keep drinking lots and lots of water... 60 oz a day minimum. Eat whole, nutritious foods (natural or organic if you can help it as they have less chemical additives), stay away from high fructose corn syrup and try to avoid foods that are goitrogens. You can read more about those online some are cabbage, potatoes, spinach, etc. Get a good multi vitamin. I recommend anything by NatureMade. They are free from additives and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work better than any other that I know of. Make sure you also have a good B complex support vitamin as it will help your body reduce some brain fog. Sublingual (liquid you take under your tongue) is best although pills are fine to. See if your doctor can also check your iron & ferretin levels as some thyroid patients tend to be anemic. Have your doctor also check your cortisol levels and dhea-s because you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue also.

I can tell you that your blood work looks to be out of order although if you could post your lab ranges that would help. Usually the average normal TSH range is from 2-5 (I THINK) that may be an older amount. Your doctor should be able to tell you and make sure you start keeping copies of your lab work.

Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients because they can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the body. My allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and thyroid gland. That often makes life a bit tough for me, although anti-inflammatories and allergy medicines do help.

Try to get lots of rest when you need it, make sure to take time for yourself each day. Talk with your doctors and remember that you don't work for them, they work for you. This means if they are giving you the run around, you should tell them that you'll fire them if you need to.

One more thing, if you are intersted in alternative health practices, massage, yoga, accupuncture, herbal therapy, reiki, etc. are also used to treat thyroid/adrenal problems. In looking at the body the way I do, I have learned that stress is a HUGE factor and sometimes THE factor in making us thyroid people sick. In eastern medicine, thyroid problems represent "Humiliation. Feeling repressed or put down. Feeling as if you never get to do what you want. " I used to think it was a bunch of hooey until I got sick bad about 6 years ago *the onslought of my thyroid problems* and eastern and western medicine cured me. I shouldn't say cured... but helped me to balance myself and so now my symptoms are more manageable.

As far as Armour goes... I don't know of any age ranges where it cannot be taken. There is a popular myth that if you are on one thyroid medicine, you must stay on it for the rest of your life. That I can assure you is a crock because I have taken synthetic, herbal and natural thyroid medicines and so far am doing okay . Print out some literature on Armour if you are interested in taking it and tell your doctor about it. If you have to, print out case studies. Doctors are more inclined sometimes to listen to a patient that has researched things than one who hasn't.

As a last resort, you can also self medicate. Some like myself and Topper and a few others here have self medicated either under the care of a physician (me) or without (Topper) and do quite well with it. You can educate yourself on how to do this although I would recommend seeking a good doctor out first before anything else.

Check out local Endocrinologists or go to the Nationa list for your country (if you are outside the US) and they will point you in the right direction. Make sure you seek out a doc that is trained in the ways of the thyroid and not just an endocrine specialist because they may not study the thyroid as their specialty. You can also work with a D.O. an Osteopathic Doctor. They are like M.D.s but generally are able to move their heads out of their butts quicker to help you . They are also generally more aware of the thyroid's function and medicines used to treat it.

Hang in there love! You'll find your way through the dark!

It's a long one.....

Hi,I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long - After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out of bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes, I would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off. No energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I had been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs. Sometimes I get a feeling of fullness in my neck. So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I am taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these readings. (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs to ask for thanks to Pam! TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/mlMy dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked her if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my thyroid was inflamed. So I made an appt with another dr - an endo, In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap. She doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace. So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt with an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to do anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding her head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway, she did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last Thursday.TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was going to do a TSH and total 3. So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal. I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of the thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but not until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed to look at the "whole" of you and doesn't take insurance but you can turn it into your insurance. Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so cold that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on Armour, but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and the 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50 years old. I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people I get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also read all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all this.)Cindy

[Guest guest]

Cindy, you are not crazy... you DO have thyroid problems. You have some of the most common symptoms.

Here is what I recommend (until you can find a good doctor)

Keep drinking lots and lots of water... 60 oz a day minimum. Eat whole, nutritious foods (natural or organic if you can help it as they have less chemical additives), stay away from high fructose corn syrup and try to avoid foods that are goitrogens. You can read more about those online some are cabbage, potatoes, spinach, etc. Get a good multi vitamin. I recommend anything by NatureMade. They are free from additives and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work better than any other that I know of. Make sure you also have a good B complex support vitamin as it will help your body reduce some brain fog. Sublingual (liquid you take under your tongue) is best although pills are fine to. See if your doctor can also check your iron & ferretin levels as some thyroid patients tend to be anemic. Have your doctor also check your cortisol levels and dhea-s because you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue also.

I can tell you that your blood work looks to be out of order although if you could post your lab ranges that would help. Usually the average normal TSH range is from 2-5 (I THINK) that may be an older amount. Your doctor should be able to tell you and make sure you start keeping copies of your lab work.

Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients because they can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the body. My allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and thyroid gland. That often makes life a bit tough for me, although anti-inflammatories and allergy medicines do help.

Try to get lots of rest when you need it, make sure to take time for yourself each day. Talk with your doctors and remember that you don't work for them, they work for you. This means if they are giving you the run around, you should tell them that you'll fire them if you need to.

One more thing, if you are intersted in alternative health practices, massage, yoga, accupuncture, herbal therapy, reiki, etc. are also used to treat thyroid/adrenal problems. In looking at the body the way I do, I have learned that stress is a HUGE factor and sometimes THE factor in making us thyroid people sick. In eastern medicine, thyroid problems represent "Humiliation. Feeling repressed or put down. Feeling as if you never get to do what you want. " I used to think it was a bunch of hooey until I got sick bad about 6 years ago *the onslought of my thyroid problems* and eastern and western medicine cured me. I shouldn't say cured... but helped me to balance myself and so now my symptoms are more manageable.

As far as Armour goes... I don't know of any age ranges where it cannot be taken. There is a popular myth that if you are on one thyroid medicine, you must stay on it for the rest of your life. That I can assure you is a crock because I have taken synthetic, herbal and natural thyroid medicines and so far am doing okay . Print out some literature on Armour if you are interested in taking it and tell your doctor about it. If you have to, print out case studies. Doctors are more inclined sometimes to listen to a patient that has researched things than one who hasn't.

As a last resort, you can also self medicate. Some like myself and Topper and a few others here have self medicated either under the care of a physician (me) or without (Topper) and do quite well with it. You can educate yourself on how to do this although I would recommend seeking a good doctor out first before anything else.

Check out local Endocrinologists or go to the Nationa list for your country (if you are outside the US) and they will point you in the right direction. Make sure you seek out a doc that is trained in the ways of the thyroid and not just an endocrine specialist because they may not study the thyroid as their specialty. You can also work with a D.O. an Osteopathic Doctor. They are like M.D.s but generally are able to move their heads out of their butts quicker to help you . They are also generally more aware of the thyroid's function and medicines used to treat it.

Hang in there love! You'll find your way through the dark!

It's a long one.....

Hi,I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long - After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out of bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes, I would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off. No energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I had been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs. Sometimes I get a feeling of fullness in my neck. So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I am taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these readings. (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs to ask for thanks to Pam! TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/mlMy dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked her if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my thyroid was inflamed. So I made an appt with another dr - an endo, In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap. She doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace. So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt with an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to do anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding her head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway, she did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last Thursday.TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was going to do a TSH and total 3. So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal. I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of the thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but not until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed to look at the "whole" of you and doesn't take insurance but you can turn it into your insurance. Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so cold that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on Armour, but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and the 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50 years old. I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people I get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also read all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all this.)Cindy

[Guest guest]

Cindy, you are not crazy... you DO have thyroid problems. You have some of the most common symptoms.

Here is what I recommend (until you can find a good doctor)

Keep drinking lots and lots of water... 60 oz a day minimum. Eat whole, nutritious foods (natural or organic if you can help it as they have less chemical additives), stay away from high fructose corn syrup and try to avoid foods that are goitrogens. You can read more about those online some are cabbage, potatoes, spinach, etc. Get a good multi vitamin. I recommend anything by NatureMade. They are free from additives and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work better than any other that I know of. Make sure you also have a good B complex support vitamin as it will help your body reduce some brain fog. Sublingual (liquid you take under your tongue) is best although pills are fine to. See if your doctor can also check your iron & ferretin levels as some thyroid patients tend to be anemic. Have your doctor also check your cortisol levels and dhea-s because you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue also.

I can tell you that your blood work looks to be out of order although if you could post your lab ranges that would help. Usually the average normal TSH range is from 2-5 (I THINK) that may be an older amount. Your doctor should be able to tell you and make sure you start keeping copies of your lab work.

Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients because they can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the body. My allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and thyroid gland. That often makes life a bit tough for me, although anti-inflammatories and allergy medicines do help.

Try to get lots of rest when you need it, make sure to take time for yourself each day. Talk with your doctors and remember that you don't work for them, they work for you. This means if they are giving you the run around, you should tell them that you'll fire them if you need to.

One more thing, if you are intersted in alternative health practices, massage, yoga, accupuncture, herbal therapy, reiki, etc. are also used to treat thyroid/adrenal problems. In looking at the body the way I do, I have learned that stress is a HUGE factor and sometimes THE factor in making us thyroid people sick. In eastern medicine, thyroid problems represent "Humiliation. Feeling repressed or put down. Feeling as if you never get to do what you want. " I used to think it was a bunch of hooey until I got sick bad about 6 years ago *the onslought of my thyroid problems* and eastern and western medicine cured me. I shouldn't say cured... but helped me to balance myself and so now my symptoms are more manageable.

As far as Armour goes... I don't know of any age ranges where it cannot be taken. There is a popular myth that if you are on one thyroid medicine, you must stay on it for the rest of your life. That I can assure you is a crock because I have taken synthetic, herbal and natural thyroid medicines and so far am doing okay . Print out some literature on Armour if you are interested in taking it and tell your doctor about it. If you have to, print out case studies. Doctors are more inclined sometimes to listen to a patient that has researched things than one who hasn't.

As a last resort, you can also self medicate. Some like myself and Topper and a few others here have self medicated either under the care of a physician (me) or without (Topper) and do quite well with it. You can educate yourself on how to do this although I would recommend seeking a good doctor out first before anything else.

Check out local Endocrinologists or go to the Nationa list for your country (if you are outside the US) and they will point you in the right direction. Make sure you seek out a doc that is trained in the ways of the thyroid and not just an endocrine specialist because they may not study the thyroid as their specialty. You can also work with a D.O. an Osteopathic Doctor. They are like M.D.s but generally are able to move their heads out of their butts quicker to help you . They are also generally more aware of the thyroid's function and medicines used to treat it.

Hang in there love! You'll find your way through the dark!

It's a long one.....

Hi,I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long - After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out of bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes, I would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off. No energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I had been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs. Sometimes I get a feeling of fullness in my neck. So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I am taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these readings. (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs to ask for thanks to Pam! TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/mlMy dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked her if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my thyroid was inflamed. So I made an appt with another dr - an endo, In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap. She doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace. So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt with an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to do anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding her head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway, she did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last Thursday.TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was going to do a TSH and total 3. So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal. I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of the thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but not until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed to look at the "whole" of you and doesn't take insurance but you can turn it into your insurance. Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so cold that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on Armour, but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and the 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50 years old. I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people I get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also read all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all this.)Cindy

[Guest guest]

Cindy, you are not crazy... you DO have thyroid problems. You have

some of the most common symptoms.

Here is what I recommend (until you can find a good doctor)

Keep drinking lots and lots of water... 60 oz a day minimum. Eat

whole, nutritious foods (natural or organic if you can help it as

they have less chemical additives), stay away from high fructose

corn syrup and try to avoid foods that are goitrogens. You can read

more about those online some are cabbage, potatoes, spinach, etc.

Get a good multi vitamin. I recommend anything by NatureMade. They

are free from additives and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work

better than any other that I know of. Make sure you also have a

good B complex support vitamin as it will help your body reduce some

brain fog. Sublingual (liquid you take under your tongue) is best

although pills are fine to. See if your doctor can also check your

iron & ferretin levels as some thyroid patients tend to be anemic.

Have your doctor also check your cortisol levels and dhea-s because

you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue also.

I can tell you that your blood work looks to be out of order

although if you could post your lab ranges that would help. Usually

the average normal TSH range is from 2-5 (I THINK) that may be an

older amount. Your doctor should be able to tell you and make sure

you start keeping copies of your lab work.

Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients because

they can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the

body. My allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and

thyroid gland. That often makes life a bit tough for me, although

anti-inflammatories and allergy medicines do help.

Try to get lots of rest when you need it, make sure to take time for

yourself each day. Talk with your doctors and remember that you

don't work for them, they work for you. This means if they are

giving you the run around, you should tell them that you'll fire

them if you need to.

One more thing, if you are intersted in alternative health

practices, massage, yoga, accupuncture, herbal therapy, reiki, etc.

are also used to treat thyroid/adrenal problems. In looking at the

body the way I do, I have learned that stress is a HUGE factor and

sometimes THE factor in making us thyroid people sick. In eastern

medicine, thyroid problems represent " Humiliation. Feeling repressed

or put down. Feeling as if you never get to do what you want. " I

used to think it was a bunch of hooey until I got sick bad about 6

years ago *the onslought of my thyroid problems* and eastern and

western medicine cured me. I shouldn't say cured... but helped me

to balance myself and so now my symptoms are more manageable.

As far as Armour goes... I don't know of any age ranges where it

cannot be taken. There is a popular myth that if you are on one

thyroid medicine, you must stay on it for the rest of your life.

That I can assure you is a crock because I have taken synthetic,

herbal and natural thyroid medicines and so far am doing okay .

Print out some literature on Armour if you are interested in taking

it and tell your doctor about it. If you have to, print out case

studies. Doctors are more inclined sometimes to listen to a patient

that has researched things than one who hasn't.

As a last resort, you can also self medicate. Some like myself and

Topper and a few others here have self medicated either under the

care of a physician (me) or without (Topper) and do quite well with

it. You can educate yourself on how to do this although I would

recommend seeking a good doctor out first before anything else.

Check out local Endocrinologists or go to the Nationa list for your

country (if you are outside the US) and they will point you in the

right direction. Make sure you seek out a doc that is trained in

the ways of the thyroid and not just an endocrine specialist because

they may not study the thyroid as their specialty. You can also

work with a D.O. an Osteopathic Doctor. They are like M.D.s but

generally are able to move their heads out of their butts quicker to

help you . They are also generally more aware of the thyroid's

function and medicines used to treat it.

Hang in there love! You'll find your way through the dark!

>

> Hi,

>

> I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on

> with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long -

>

> After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from

> another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was

> feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out

of

> bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even

> then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes, I

> would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember

> what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off.

No

> energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I had

> been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs.

Sometimes

> I get a feeling of fullness in my neck.

>

> So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I

am

> taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these

readings.

> (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs to

> ask for thanks to Pam!

>

> TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50

>

> FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8

>

> FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2

>

> Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/ml

>

> My dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked her

> if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my

thyroid

> was inflamed.

>

> So I made an appt with another dr - an endo,

>

> In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap.

She

> doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace.

>

> So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started

> falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without

> changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers

> getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin

> (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt with

> an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last

> Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to

do

> anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my

> estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems

> too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding

her

> head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway,

she

> did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the

> sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last

> Thursday.

>

> TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60

>

> FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64

>

> FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2

>

> I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was

> going to do a TSH and total 3.

>

> So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal.

>

> I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of

the

> thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and

> say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but

not

> until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed to

> look at the " whole " of you and doesn't take insurance but you can

> turn it into your insurance.

>

> Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you

> tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so cold

> that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on

Armour,

> but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and

the

> 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50

> years old.

>

> I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people

I

> get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also

read

> all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all

this.)

>

> Cindy

>

[Guest guest]

Cindy, you are not crazy... you DO have thyroid problems. You have

some of the most common symptoms.

Here is what I recommend (until you can find a good doctor)

Keep drinking lots and lots of water... 60 oz a day minimum. Eat

whole, nutritious foods (natural or organic if you can help it as

they have less chemical additives), stay away from high fructose

corn syrup and try to avoid foods that are goitrogens. You can read

more about those online some are cabbage, potatoes, spinach, etc.

Get a good multi vitamin. I recommend anything by NatureMade. They

are free from additives and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work

better than any other that I know of. Make sure you also have a

good B complex support vitamin as it will help your body reduce some

brain fog. Sublingual (liquid you take under your tongue) is best

although pills are fine to. See if your doctor can also check your

iron & ferretin levels as some thyroid patients tend to be anemic.

Have your doctor also check your cortisol levels and dhea-s because

you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue also.

I can tell you that your blood work looks to be out of order

although if you could post your lab ranges that would help. Usually

the average normal TSH range is from 2-5 (I THINK) that may be an

older amount. Your doctor should be able to tell you and make sure

you start keeping copies of your lab work.

Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients because

they can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the

body. My allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and

thyroid gland. That often makes life a bit tough for me, although

anti-inflammatories and allergy medicines do help.

Try to get lots of rest when you need it, make sure to take time for

yourself each day. Talk with your doctors and remember that you

don't work for them, they work for you. This means if they are

giving you the run around, you should tell them that you'll fire

them if you need to.

One more thing, if you are intersted in alternative health

practices, massage, yoga, accupuncture, herbal therapy, reiki, etc.

are also used to treat thyroid/adrenal problems. In looking at the

body the way I do, I have learned that stress is a HUGE factor and

sometimes THE factor in making us thyroid people sick. In eastern

medicine, thyroid problems represent " Humiliation. Feeling repressed

or put down. Feeling as if you never get to do what you want. " I

used to think it was a bunch of hooey until I got sick bad about 6

years ago *the onslought of my thyroid problems* and eastern and

western medicine cured me. I shouldn't say cured... but helped me

to balance myself and so now my symptoms are more manageable.

As far as Armour goes... I don't know of any age ranges where it

cannot be taken. There is a popular myth that if you are on one

thyroid medicine, you must stay on it for the rest of your life.

That I can assure you is a crock because I have taken synthetic,

herbal and natural thyroid medicines and so far am doing okay .

Print out some literature on Armour if you are interested in taking

it and tell your doctor about it. If you have to, print out case

studies. Doctors are more inclined sometimes to listen to a patient

that has researched things than one who hasn't.

As a last resort, you can also self medicate. Some like myself and

Topper and a few others here have self medicated either under the

care of a physician (me) or without (Topper) and do quite well with

it. You can educate yourself on how to do this although I would

recommend seeking a good doctor out first before anything else.

Check out local Endocrinologists or go to the Nationa list for your

country (if you are outside the US) and they will point you in the

right direction. Make sure you seek out a doc that is trained in

the ways of the thyroid and not just an endocrine specialist because

they may not study the thyroid as their specialty. You can also

work with a D.O. an Osteopathic Doctor. They are like M.D.s but

generally are able to move their heads out of their butts quicker to

help you . They are also generally more aware of the thyroid's

function and medicines used to treat it.

Hang in there love! You'll find your way through the dark!

>

> Hi,

>

> I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on

> with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long -

>

> After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from

> another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was

> feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out

of

> bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even

> then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes, I

> would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember

> what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off.

No

> energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I had

> been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs.

Sometimes

> I get a feeling of fullness in my neck.

>

> So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I

am

> taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these

readings.

> (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs to

> ask for thanks to Pam!

>

> TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50

>

> FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8

>

> FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2

>

> Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/ml

>

> My dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked her

> if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my

thyroid

> was inflamed.

>

> So I made an appt with another dr - an endo,

>

> In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap.

She

> doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace.

>

> So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started

> falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without

> changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers

> getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin

> (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt with

> an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last

> Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to

do

> anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my

> estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems

> too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding

her

> head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway,

she

> did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the

> sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last

> Thursday.

>

> TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60

>

> FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64

>

> FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2

>

> I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was

> going to do a TSH and total 3.

>

> So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal.

>

> I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of

the

> thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and

> say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but

not

> until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed to

> look at the " whole " of you and doesn't take insurance but you can

> turn it into your insurance.

>

> Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you

> tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so cold

> that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on

Armour,

> but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and

the

> 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50

> years old.

>

> I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people

I

> get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also

read

> all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all

this.)

>

> Cindy

>

[Guest guest]

Cindy, you are not crazy... you DO have thyroid problems. You have

some of the most common symptoms.

Here is what I recommend (until you can find a good doctor)

Keep drinking lots and lots of water... 60 oz a day minimum. Eat

whole, nutritious foods (natural or organic if you can help it as

they have less chemical additives), stay away from high fructose

corn syrup and try to avoid foods that are goitrogens. You can read

more about those online some are cabbage, potatoes, spinach, etc.

Get a good multi vitamin. I recommend anything by NatureMade. They

are free from additives and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work

better than any other that I know of. Make sure you also have a

good B complex support vitamin as it will help your body reduce some

brain fog. Sublingual (liquid you take under your tongue) is best

although pills are fine to. See if your doctor can also check your

iron & ferretin levels as some thyroid patients tend to be anemic.

Have your doctor also check your cortisol levels and dhea-s because

you may be suffering from adrenal fatigue also.

I can tell you that your blood work looks to be out of order

although if you could post your lab ranges that would help. Usually

the average normal TSH range is from 2-5 (I THINK) that may be an

older amount. Your doctor should be able to tell you and make sure

you start keeping copies of your lab work.

Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients because

they can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the

body. My allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and

thyroid gland. That often makes life a bit tough for me, although

anti-inflammatories and allergy medicines do help.

Try to get lots of rest when you need it, make sure to take time for

yourself each day. Talk with your doctors and remember that you

don't work for them, they work for you. This means if they are

giving you the run around, you should tell them that you'll fire

them if you need to.

One more thing, if you are intersted in alternative health

practices, massage, yoga, accupuncture, herbal therapy, reiki, etc.

are also used to treat thyroid/adrenal problems. In looking at the

body the way I do, I have learned that stress is a HUGE factor and

sometimes THE factor in making us thyroid people sick. In eastern

medicine, thyroid problems represent " Humiliation. Feeling repressed

or put down. Feeling as if you never get to do what you want. " I

used to think it was a bunch of hooey until I got sick bad about 6

years ago *the onslought of my thyroid problems* and eastern and

western medicine cured me. I shouldn't say cured... but helped me

to balance myself and so now my symptoms are more manageable.

As far as Armour goes... I don't know of any age ranges where it

cannot be taken. There is a popular myth that if you are on one

thyroid medicine, you must stay on it for the rest of your life.

That I can assure you is a crock because I have taken synthetic,

herbal and natural thyroid medicines and so far am doing okay .

Print out some literature on Armour if you are interested in taking

it and tell your doctor about it. If you have to, print out case

studies. Doctors are more inclined sometimes to listen to a patient

that has researched things than one who hasn't.

As a last resort, you can also self medicate. Some like myself and

Topper and a few others here have self medicated either under the

care of a physician (me) or without (Topper) and do quite well with

it. You can educate yourself on how to do this although I would

recommend seeking a good doctor out first before anything else.

Check out local Endocrinologists or go to the Nationa list for your

country (if you are outside the US) and they will point you in the

right direction. Make sure you seek out a doc that is trained in

the ways of the thyroid and not just an endocrine specialist because

they may not study the thyroid as their specialty. You can also

work with a D.O. an Osteopathic Doctor. They are like M.D.s but

generally are able to move their heads out of their butts quicker to

help you . They are also generally more aware of the thyroid's

function and medicines used to treat it.

Hang in there love! You'll find your way through the dark!

>

> Hi,

>

> I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on

> with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long -

>

> After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from

> another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was

> feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out

of

> bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even

> then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes, I

> would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember

> what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off.

No

> energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I had

> been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs.

Sometimes

> I get a feeling of fullness in my neck.

>

> So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I

am

> taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these

readings.

> (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs to

> ask for thanks to Pam!

>

> TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50

>

> FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8

>

> FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2

>

> Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/ml

>

> My dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked her

> if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my

thyroid

> was inflamed.

>

> So I made an appt with another dr - an endo,

>

> In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap.

She

> doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace.

>

> So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started

> falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without

> changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers

> getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin

> (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt with

> an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last

> Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to

do

> anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my

> estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems

> too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding

her

> head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway,

she

> did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the

> sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last

> Thursday.

>

> TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60

>

> FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64

>

> FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2

>

> I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was

> going to do a TSH and total 3.

>

> So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal.

>

> I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of

the

> thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and

> say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but

not

> until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed to

> look at the " whole " of you and doesn't take insurance but you can

> turn it into your insurance.

>

> Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you

> tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so cold

> that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on

Armour,

> but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and

the

> 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50

> years old.

>

> I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people

I

> get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also

read

> all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all

this.)

>

> Cindy

>

[Guest guest]

>I recommend anything by NatureMade. They are free from additives

and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work better than any other that I

know of. <

I'll throw out another recommendation, Puritan's Pride (online-they

also have a paper catalog). They offer some very good deals

sometimes, price and from my experience, reliable.

>Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients because

they can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the

body. My allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and

thyroid gland. That often makes life a bit tough for me, although

anti-inflammatories and allergy medicines do help.<

Geez. This year, I've been questioned about allergies...and have

plenty of post nasal drip to show for it.

My neck area gets inflamed and feels abit swollen at times. Lymph

nodes present. Wheezing but infrequent and usually occurs mostly in

evening and while at rest.

Taking Acet/Chlorepheniramine/Phenlephrine combo (Walmart's brand)

reduces my symtoms by half.

The kicker of this is, in the past...I didn't have allergies. All

kinds of crap has cropped up. If you've read, I have not been

diagnosed with a thyroid problem.

Fortunately, their is a Chiropractor in my husband's family and I can

visit him for adjustments. Been in there recently, he touched my

neck: right side high/low...noted tenderness. Left side: dead center.

The beauty of it was...I didn't have to say a word as to where the

pain/tenderness was located.

Not obvious to many but it was to him. Felt good to know that

somebody else detected it.

~Kate

> >

> > Hi,

> >

> > I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on

> > with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long -

> >

> > After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from

> > another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was

> > feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out

> of

> > bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even

> > then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes,

I

> > would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember

> > what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off.

> No

> > energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I

had

> > been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs.

> Sometimes

> > I get a feeling of fullness in my neck.

> >

> > So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I

> am

> > taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these

> readings.

> > (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs

to

> > ask for thanks to Pam!

> >

> > TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50

> >

> > FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8

> >

> > FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2

> >

> > Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/ml

> >

> > My dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked

her

> > if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my

> thyroid

> > was inflamed.

> >

> > So I made an appt with another dr - an endo,

> >

> > In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap.

> She

> > doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace.

> >

> > So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started

> > falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without

> > changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers

> > getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin

> > (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt

with

> > an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last

> > Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to

> do

> > anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my

> > estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems

> > too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding

> her

> > head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway,

> she

> > did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the

> > sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last

> > Thursday.

> >

> > TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60

> >

> > FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64

> >

> > FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2

> >

> > I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was

> > going to do a TSH and total 3.

> >

> > So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal.

> >

> > I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of

> the

> > thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and

> > say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but

> not

> > until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed

to

> > look at the " whole " of you and doesn't take insurance but you can

> > turn it into your insurance.

> >

> > Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you

> > tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so

cold

> > that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on

> Armour,

> > but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and

> the

> > 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50

> > years old.

> >

> > I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people

> I

> > get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also

> read

> > all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all

> this.)

> >

> > Cindy

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cindy,

Sorry you're feeling crummy.

How much estrogen are you taking the amount ? The estrace plus another estrogen seems alot why so much. 6yrs ago got very sick after a Dr doubled my estrogen . Went to another Dr who put me on half the amount he said too much estrogen is very dangerous. You can also have brain fog and fatigue with the wrong amount of estrogen. Another Dr put me on too mush progesterone so I was having lots of muscle pain and urinating all the time. Did they ever check your hormone levels to see if you are getting too much?

Anne

It's a long one.....

Hi,I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is going on with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is long - After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam from another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I was feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting out of bed, I was having to read things over and over and sometimes even then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my recipes, I would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to remember what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and off. No energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I had been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs. Sometimes I get a feeling of fullness in my neck. So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid tested. I am taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these readings. (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what labs to ask for thanks to Pam! TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/mlMy dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I asked her if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my thyroid was inflamed. So I made an appt with another dr - an endo, In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly pap. She doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace. So things started happening. I got very constipated. I started falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight without changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt with an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't want to do anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact my estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some problems too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is holding her head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?) Anyway, she did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from last Thursday.TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She was going to do a TSH and total 3. So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is normal. I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by one of the thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2 labs and say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray, but not until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is supposed to look at the "whole" of you and doesn't take insurance but you can turn it into your insurance. Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can you tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so cold that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on Armour, but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack and the 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to be 50 years old. I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the people I get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also read all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand all this.)Cindy

[Guest guest]

I can sympathize with you as while reading, I have flashbacks that look like my story also. I wonder how you convert your thyroid hormones and what the relationship is between your thyroid/adrenal glands... it sounds like one keeps trying to fix the other and that's why you keep fluctuating, of course, there also sounds like a lot going on. The reason we get goiters is because our thyroid tries to grow as much as it can to output the additional thyroid hormones we need in order to maintain a 'normal' state. As for the lymph nodes, I still don't really know what the deal is with mine. My family doc did tell me he thought it should come out as it's been hard on and off since April or so... always for me, going down when my levels are normal or when I take adrenal & allergy meds... it shrinks to the size of almost being normal. I can always tell what kind of day I'll have by feeling the back of my neck when I first get up. I don't know if it's a cyst or a lymph node back there (I think my doc said lymph) but it changes size daily... sometimes it's the size of a pea (normal for me) other days it feels nickel sized. Oh, the jerkiness can also be from not having enough potassium. How are your potassium levels, do you know?

Our bodies... what interesting machines lol.

Re: It's a long one.....

This was originally attached to the post I wrote to you below but didn't have time to finish it. I'll continue on. Some of what I had written, but hadn't posted:Okay, how it began and pertaining to, for the most part, my neck:Last year, I just felt run down. I do have 2 young ones and while they are a challenge, knew that I couldn't blame them, entirely, for being so tired. During the winter, found that I was always placing my hot coffee/tea mug up to my neck. I know this sounds stupid but I told my husband that my neck felt sick, for lack of a better description. I carried on, paying little attention to it.Around Christmas, felt like I was coming down with something. The start of January, I spit out exudates, diagnosed with tonsillitis, hypertrophied tonsils (though they were always large)and tonsils removed April 7th of this year.Backing up abit, while on a second round of antibiotics in January, close to the end of the course, I woke up in the morning with a large puddle of saliva on my pillow. My right jaw was totally slack. Felt ill and went back to sleep. Woke up feeling confused and toxic. Under my eyes were very puffy. It was at this time, I developed eye twitches (bottom corners). My eye lid on my right would occasionally get "lazy." [For the most part, my eyes no longer twitch nor do I experience the lazy lid anymore.]It felt like I received a karate chop straight across my adam's apple and when I swallowed, it was so painful. Like a pizza cutter rolling up and down the front of my throat.Later, that day...felt panicky. I've had mono, strep, bad sore throats etc. etc. in the past but I NEVER experienced anything like this before! It became painful for me to turn my neck to the right, bothered me to place my chin to my chest and I couldn't sleep on my sides because it was painful and I felt like I couldn't breath. For some time, I could only sleep on my back, chin slightly up and slightly cocked to the left. Somewhere along the line, this became better. Part of Feb. & March...I experienced, what I would call a month long panick attack. An entire month! TOTALLY unlike me. I couldn't sleep in our room because my husband prefers cool air and the cold seemed to really aggravate my neck & head. That was fine, I needed to fall asleep to the T.V.My mind was shot. I couldn't seem to think straight and my memory was totally blown. For awhile there, I felt complete idiot on account of it. I may not be the brightest bulb in the pack but I certainly had more wattage prior to that time! lol I lost 7 pounds. I attribute that to some difficulty in eating and that month long "panick attack." While on antibiotics, I was experiencing some sever body jolts, while falling to sleep. I could only think it had to do with the anxiety. I started taking Magnesium and it started to help, that and time. To this day, I still have some odd movements while I sleep: a shoulder shrug, knee bending and hand movements. The hands act up while I am beginning to wake. It takes me awhile to wake. Though nothing like I had experienced earlier this year. On one occasion, on one night in trying to sleep in our room (temp up) I felt so frozen (lower legs, feet & hands) but I was so darned exhausted, I couldn't take care of myself (like put on a pair of socks). My mind just hovered above falling to sleep. My husband got into bed and I heard him tell me how frozen I felt. My hands and feet tend to be but it was much worse this night. Anyway, back to the neck. It felt like my neck muscles were ratcheted down. I felt like what I imagined someone with a muscle dystrophy might feel like. lolFast forward, tonsils out. It took about 2 months before I could swallow as well as prior to the surgery. Which isn't the best (my genuine normal) but adequate. I've been going to the chiropractor since but more, lately. I do feel better but my swallow and speech still is not where it should be. Muscles feeling better, though. As I've said, the slight "bulge" I didn't notice until recently. It is on my right side and it's always been my right side that has given me the majority of grief. My E.N.T. did do a CT scan of head and neck Feb. 09 but nothing was noted with the exception of tonsils, adenoid and lymph nodes. When I saw him the end of May, he wanted to run another CT scan this December. He didn't say anything but personally, I don't think he liked the fact that my lymph node (right one) didn't go down as he expected, didn't like the fact that I had such difficulties with issues of swallowing or my voice. I didn't really address it, as I was just so happy that food was finally making it down the center of my throat. Prior (and after tonsillectomy) it just sat there and I had to drink something with most foods. It took forever to finish my food. I lost 13-15 pounds after that surgery. I finally pushed myself back to 150 pounds but lost nearly 10 pounds shortly thereafter. At that, almost daily, I was supplementing my food with Marie Callendars Pot Pie and container of Hagaan Daiz ice-cream in the evening. Since then, I've been able to maintain the 150 pounds. Those who are hypo, do they always gain weight? I am wondering if I fluctuate but I am not much of a weight gainer (save for about 5 pounds in winter.) I had gained a-lot of weight in pregnancies (my metabolism just seemed to STOP.) Fought to take it off. Last year, my cholesterol was high and found that I couldn't lose any weight. This year (03/06), my cholesterol went down (to normal) and...lost the weight from my last pregnancies. I've been experiencing other "issues." Frustrating because in the past, with the exception of being tired (outside of what I've felt is normal), I didn't have problems. Occasional aches/pains, hot flashes (hf: after last pregnancy)and periods becoming screwy... being the only exception. All of those things being tolerable. Anyway, that's bits & pieces of my "story." Sorry for the long read. In reading back, see that I veered off from keeping with the neck only. lol~Kate> >> > When you start to have adrenal problems (deficiency), you will > often develop allergies that you did not notice before. It is not > that they were never there, just that your adrenal glands are > starting to get tired and they are unable to take care of > the 'smaller' things. So it will let those things slide through in > order to fight the larger problems, like keeping your thyroid > regulated.> > > > If you are having tenderness, it is possible that you are > developing a goiter. Do you also have problems swallowing? With > tingleness in your hands/toes on the side of your tenderness? > Headaches? All of these together are signs of thyroid problems. Do > you have a way of ordering labs through a doctor or independently? I > would be interested to see what your thyroid levels are

[Guest guest]

Was this for me or Kate? I think my doc told me I didn't have Hashi's once... but he didn't tell me what I did have LOL. Doctors!

Re: It's a long one.....

I hope this makes some sense to you, it sounds like you have thyroid problems but I am thinking you may have Hashimoto's ..Signs of being cold, high choesterol etc. are signs of hypo, sign of your cholesterol lowering, shakey unable to focus are signs of hyper..Weak muscles and fatigue are also signs of of either hypo or hyper.With Hashimotos' antibodies they attack the thyroid, this attack releases stored thyroid hormones causing temproary hyper symptoms, after the attack the thyroid works a little less gradually making you hypo..the less your thyroid functions the more the body stimulates the thyroid to make more hormone , this stimulation increases antibodies that cause Hashimoto's, the attack cycle begins again causing temporary hyper and leaving you just a little more hypo each time.Kats3boys

[Guest guest]

My doctor mentioned IBS but I am not confident (as of yet) that is

the problem.

My poo's narrowed. I have had the very soft/runs but very infrequent.

I didn't know shape revealed health. Mine used to come out in pieces,

not long enough to form a shape. lol Tacky subject, I know but...part

of life...well, for some of us. lol

Oddly, they became longer, better consistency and a tad wider

after...guess what, consistently taking antihistamines as of late. I

think the H1 receptor is indirectly related to the H2. Don't quote me

on that one. I did read that H1 affects the smooth muscles.

I'm beginning to think that histamine (too much of it) causes a few

problems.

I ordered a book on neurology (which of course, involves

neurotransmitters)...may be over my head but I'm going to give it a

shot. Fascinating field, I think.

It's called, " Principles of Neural Science " If you go to Amazon, it's

the first of the list. Check out the table of contents.

I didn't get the current edition, of course, due to costs. lol

As for the gut, specifically, read that it is essentially it's own

system. A book that I would like to read: " The Second Brain: A

Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach

and Intestine "

An allergy to anything you ingest, probably causes problems all the

way down.

I've wondered if I have a food allergy but...trying to figure that

one!? I eat such diverse foods and seasonings. I wouldn't know where

to begin.

I've heard many good things about vinegar (particularly apple)and for

G.I. problems as well. I tried it but in a few places going down...it

just burned. Too afraid to try that again. lol

What I have is LPR, no heartburn which isn't unusual for the

condition.

After I get things squared away (hopefully hormonal)...I am going to

try nixing the Prilosec and see what happens.

I hear GB can cause problems for some time, after a removal.

18 months of indigestion and diarrhea...ewww! Took a toll on overall

health, I would think.

~Kate

> > > >

> > > > Cindy, you are not crazy... you DO have thyroid problems.

You

> have

> > > some of the most common symptoms.

> > > >

> > > > Here is what I recommend (until you can find a good doctor)

> > > >

> > > > Keep drinking lots and lots of water... 60 oz a day

minimum.

> Eat

> > > whole, nutritious foods (natural or organic if you can help

it

> as

> > they

> > > have less chemical additives), stay away from high fructose

> corn

> > syrup

> > > and try to avoid foods that are goitrogens. You can read more

> about

> > > those online some are cabbage, potatoes, spinach, etc. Get a

> good

> > multi

> > > vitamin. I recommend anything by NatureMade. They are free

from

> > > additives and fillers, yeast, dairy, etc. and work better

than

> any

> > other

> > > that I know of. Make sure you also have a good B complex

> support

> > vitamin

> > > as it will help your body reduce some brain fog. Sublingual

> (liquid

> > you

> > > take under your tongue) is best although pills are fine to.

See

> if

> > your

> > > doctor can also check your iron & ferretin levels as some

> thyroid

> > > patients tend to be anemic. Have your doctor also check your

> > cortisol

> > > levels and dhea-s because you may be suffering from adrenal

> fatigue

> > > also.

> > > >

> > > > I can tell you that your blood work looks to be out of

order

> > although

> > > if you could post your lab ranges that would help. Usually

the

> > average

> > > normal TSH range is from 2-5 (I THINK) that may be an older

> amount.

> > Your

> > > doctor should be able to tell you and make sure you start

> keeping

> > copies

> > > of your lab work.

> > > >

> > > > Allergies can also play a bad role with thyroid patients

> because

> > they

> > > can help to inflame muscle, tendon and other tissues in the

> body. My

> > > allergies for example, like to inflame my lymphnodes and

> thyroid

> > gland.

> > > That often makes life a bit tough for me, although anti-

> > inflammatories

> > > and allergy medicines do help.

> > > >

> > > > Try to get lots of rest when you need it, make sure to take

> time

> > for

> > > yourself each day. Talk with your doctors and remember that

you

> > don't

> > > work for them, they work for you. This means if they are

giving

> you

> > the

> > > run around, you should tell them that you'll fire them if you

> need

> > to.

> > > >

> > > > One more thing, if you are intersted in alternative health

> > practices,

> > > massage, yoga, accupuncture, herbal therapy, reiki, etc. are

> also

> > used

> > > to treat thyroid/adrenal problems. In looking at the body the

> way I

> > do,

> > > I have learned that stress is a HUGE factor and sometimes THE

> > factor in

> > > making us thyroid people sick. In eastern medicine, thyroid

> problems

> > > represent " Humiliation. Feeling repressed or put down.

Feeling

> as

> > if you

> > > never get to do what you want. " I used to think it was a

bunch

> of

> > hooey

> > > until I got sick bad about 6 years ago *the onslought of my

> thyroid

> > > problems* and eastern and western medicine cured me. I

> shouldn't say

> > > cured... but helped me to balance myself and so now my

symptoms

> are

> > more

> > > manageable.

> > > >

> > > > As far as Armour goes... I don't know of any age ranges

where

> it

> > > cannot be taken. There is a popular myth that if you are on

one

> > thyroid

> > > medicine, you must stay on it for the rest of your life. That

I

> can

> > > assure you is a crock because I have taken synthetic, herbal

> and

> > natural

> > > thyroid medicines and so far am doing okay . Print out some

> > literature

> > > on Armour if you are interested in taking it and tell your

> doctor

> > about

> > > it. If you have to, print out case studies. Doctors are more

> > inclined

> > > sometimes to listen to a patient that has researched things

> than

> > one who

> > > hasn't.

> > > >

> > > > As a last resort, you can also self medicate. Some like

> myself and

> > > Topper and a few others here have self medicated either under

> the

> > care

> > > of a physician (me) or without (Topper) and do quite well

with

> it.

> > You

> > > can educate yourself on how to do this although I would

> recommend

> > > seeking a good doctor out first before anything else.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Check out local Endocrinologists or go to the Nationa list

> for

> > your

> > > country (if you are outside the US) and they will point you

in

> the

> > right

> > > direction. Make sure you seek out a doc that is trained in

the

> ways

> > of

> > > the thyroid and not just an endocrine specialist because they

> may

> > not

> > > study the thyroid as their specialty. You can also work with

a

> D.O.

> > an

> > > Osteopathic Doctor. They are like M.D.s but generally are

able

> to

> > move

> > > their heads out of their butts quicker to help you . They

are

> also

> > > generally more aware of the thyroid's function and medicines

> used to

> > > treat it.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hang in there love! You'll find your way through the dark!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > It's a long one.....

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > I am coming to the thyroid boards to figure out what is

going

> on

> > > > with me. I am hoping you guys can help me out. This is

long -

> > > >

> > > > After reading several thyroid boards and talking with Pam

from

> > > > another board, I realized my thryoid could be the reason I

was

> > > > feeling so crappy. I was tired in the morning after getting

> out of

> > > > bed, I was having to read things over and over and

sometimes

> even

> > > > then what I was reading wasn't registering. Reading my

> recipes, I

> > > > would have to look at an ingredient at least 5 times to

> remember

> > > > what I was going to the cupboard for. Constipation on and

> off. No

> > > > energy. I get confused easily. Did I say no energy! LOL I

had

> > > > been losing weight over the last year with lower carbs.

> Sometimes

> > > > I get a feeling of fullness in my neck.

> > > >

> > > > So last July I went to the family dr to get my thyroid

> tested. I

> > am

> > > > taking 112 mcg Synthroid. My labs came back with these

> readings.

> > > > (Which I posted back then for advice.) Oh and I knew what

> labs to

> > > > ask for thanks to Pam!

> > > >

> > > > TSH 1.676 0.35 - 5.50

> > > >

> > > > FT4 1.4 0.8 - 1.8

> > > >

> > > > FT3 2.6 2.3 - 4.2

> > > >

> > > > Anti-thyroid peroxidase 45 <35 iu/ml

> > > >

> > > > My dr told me I was normal. No problem with thyroid. I

asked

> her

> > > > if I had Hashimoto's. She said no that number meant that my

> > thyroid

> > > > was inflamed.

> > > >

> > > > So I made an appt with another dr - an endo,

> > > >

> > > > In the meantime I went back to my family dr for my yearly

> pap. She

> > > > doubled my estrogen dose and added estrace.

> > > >

> > > > So things started happening. I got very constipated. I

started

> > > > falling asleep in the afternoon. I gained some weight

without

> > > > changing my eating habits. Less energy than before. Fingers

> > > > getting cold. Hair is drying out. More brain fog. Dry skin

> > > > (haven't had dry elbows for a long time.) BUT I had my appt

> with

> > > > an endo, so I was hoping for some help. Went to my endo last

> > > > Thursday. She took one look at my latest labs and didn't

want

> to

> > do

> > > > anything. So I told her about my new symptoms and the fact

my

> > > > estrogen had been doubled so maybe that was causing some

> problems

> > > > too (binding). She sat back down, the whole time she is

> holding

> > her

> > > > head up on her hand (maybe she has a thyroid problem?)

> Anyway, she

> > > > did do more blood work and I had a sonogram. Haven't got the

> > > > sonogram results back yet. But here is the lab work from

last

> > > > Thursday.

> > > >

> > > > TSH 1.0 0.34 - 5.60

> > > >

> > > > FT4 0.72 0.58 - 1.64

> > > >

> > > > FT3 2.8 2.4 - 4.2

> > > >

> > > > I ONLY got the frees done because I asked her to do it. She

> was

> > > > going to do a TSH and total 3.

> > > >

> > > > So I got the call from the nurse saying my thyroid is

normal.

> > > >

> > > > I have an appt with another endo, that IS recommended by

one

> of

> > the

> > > > thyroid boards. However, is he going to look at these 2

labs

> and

> > > > say I am normal? I also have an appt with Dr. Jane Murray,

> but not

> > > > until next February!!! She is one of the drs that is

supposed

> to

> > > > look at the " whole " of you and doesn't take insurance but

you

> can

> > > > turn it into your insurance.

> > > >

> > > > Anyway, if you are still reading this, Thank You!!! But can

> you

> > > > tell me what you see with my lab results? My fingers are so

> cold

> > > > that I am shaking while I am typing. I am trying to get on

> Armour,

> > > > but the 2 drs I saw say no. It would give me a heart attack

> and

> > the

> > > > 2nd dr said no it could cause boneloss since I am going to

be

> 50

> > > > years old.

> > > >

> > > > I will end this now and hopefully I will hear from all the

> people

> > I

> > > > get on the boards to read everyday (so yeah, I lurk! I also

> read

> > > > all the links that are posted so I am trying to understand

> all

> > this.)

> > > >

> > > > Cindy

> > > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Curious, do you have any G.I. problems requiring a proton pump

> inhibitor or acid reducer?

> I ask because I also have been taking Prilosec for LPR. Again,

> something new for me.

I will share part of my story..

I was having a lot of stomach problems.. ended up going for the

scope..the doc found lots of scar tissue..I was having an allergic

reaction more like contact dermatitis in my Esophagus..what was I

allergic too that I ate all the time..

Water?? I had noticed that the city had upped the chlorine levels, I

found a place that rents the reverse osmosis systems for my tap

water..and guess what..no stomach problems or meds.

Fast forward to Thyroid fun.. have not solved the problem yet but

find it interesting to note that Chlorine, Iodine, Fluoride all have

the same chemical structure when it comes to dealing with the

Thyroid.

Now my allergist says my allergies are all Thyroid related.. my ENDO

can not figure it out and says it is because I have some weird

Iodine allergy..but has not tested me for it so now I am back to the

allergist for hopefully a clue.

Kats3boys

[Guest guest]

That sounds very painful. Too, I am sure it " referred " pain

elsewhere. Interesting about the water connection.

Earlier this year, I was drinking copious amounts of water. To me,

something about the taste just didn't seem right. Though, nobody else

seemed to notice it.

I also took note of this weird gunk growing in the back of the

toilet. Our home is new, so I knew it didn't have anything to do with

our pipes.

I began talking about this and found a site... interesting (I'll post

it after this). I shared this with an employee in the electrical

division (city power). Maybe a month passes...we receive notices

about an over abundance of a chemical in our water supply. Felt we

needed to be informed. I forget the chemical but it was one that

could cause neuro problems. Of course, the problem was corrected.

I think it's always best to pay attention to our instincts.

Personally, my thought is this: men were given physical

strength...women, in general, lack that kind of strength but that

shortage was made up in giving us greater intuition. That's my theory

anyway.

A little bit of doubt is healthy (keeps us questioning) but to

disregard what our " gut " is trying to tell us...I think is a mistake!

~Kate

>

> Curious, do you have any G.I. problems requiring a proton pump

> > inhibitor or acid reducer?

> > I ask because I also have been taking Prilosec for LPR. Again,

> > something new for me.

>

> I will share part of my story..

> I was having a lot of stomach problems.. ended up going for the

> scope..the doc found lots of scar tissue..I was having an allergic

> reaction more like contact dermatitis in my Esophagus..what was I

> allergic too that I ate all the time..

> Water?? I had noticed that the city had upped the chlorine levels,

I

> found a place that rents the reverse osmosis systems for my tap

> water..and guess what..no stomach problems or meds.

> Fast forward to Thyroid fun.. have not solved the problem yet but

> find it interesting to note that Chlorine, Iodine, Fluoride all

have

> the same chemical structure when it comes to dealing with the

> Thyroid.

> Now my allergist says my allergies are all Thyroid related.. my

ENDO

> can not figure it out and says it is because I have some weird

> Iodine allergy..but has not tested me for it so now I am back to

the

> allergist for hopefully a clue.

>

> Kats3boys

>